Leanne Ratcliffe

Freelee the Banana Girl draws her nickname from her signature diet, the frugivorous diet, which typically consists of eating mostly fruits. Ratcliffe's fruit of choice was always bananas, earning her the nickname 'Banana Girl'. The "Freelee" part came naturally as a combination of the word 'Freedom' and her name.[12]

The fruitarian diet promoted by Ratcliffe is not considered advisable by many, if not all, mainstream nutritionists. Specifically, there are concerns that raw vegan diets heavy in produce with very few sources of nuts and seeds are too low in protein, essential amino acids, fats, vitamin D, vitamin B12, calcium, iodine, iron, and omega 3 fatty acids. These diets are also associated with higher risk of weight gain, diabetes, and tooth decay because of the high sugar content.[13]

Ratcliffe has been known for controversial, and scientifically unsubstantiated claims. After the death of teenage makeup guru, Talia Castellano (known as Taliajoy18 on Youtube), Ratcliffe published a video claiming that Castellano's death could have been prevented had she forgone chemotherapy in favor of a raw food vegan diet. Ratcliffe also claimed that chemotherapy was a dangerous, poisonous, and ineffective treatment for cancer.[14][15]

Ratcliffe has claimed that amenorrhea (the absence of her period) for nine months was a sign that her body was healthy and had fewer "toxins" to flush out via menstruation.[16] In reality, amenorrhea in women of child-bearing age is frequently a result of low body weight, poor nutrition, disordered eating, and other illnesses. Additionally, maintaining living conditions resulting in secondary amenorrhea may result in infertility and osteoporosis, which is not always reversible. There is no scientific evidence that menstruation is a way for the body to "flush out toxins."[17]

Ratcliffe has made many controversial statements criticizing the appearances of critics, other YouTube personalities, and overweight people in general.[18][19][20][21] Ratcliffe posted a video in which she stated that more deaths were caused in the 9/11 terrorist attacks because of "obese people" blocking the doors, not allowing "fit people" to pass through.[22]

After the end of her relationship to fellow YouTube personality, Harley 'Durianrider' Johnstone, allegations emerged of physical abuse from both parties and emotional abuse on the part of Ratcliffe.[23]

In late 2019, Freelee was criticized for a response video she made to Emma Chamberlain's "what I eat in a day" video. She criticized Chamberlain's coffee consumption and appearance, and in turn, received negative comments herself.[24]

Ratcliffe has advertised her own self-published e-books outlining her diet principles under the titles, ‘Raw Till 4 Diet’, ‘Go Fruit Yourself’ and ‘My Naked Lunchbox’.[25] These books were met with the criticism that following her plans could lead to disordered eating, and nutritional deficiency, and that the diets are unbalanced and incredibly restrictive.[26]